Wednesday

London, England // The land of grey skies, great sneakers, clipped sentences, cobbled lanes and the best pre-mixed gin and tonics I've ever put my lips to... // Every morning on the way to the tube, I'd rug up, stroll past Westminster Abbey and marvel at the beautiful, Gothic architecture of the church. I love the history of this town. // £2 of joy at the end of a long day in the studio + several episodes of Chatty Man with three flamboyant men = pure joy. // Supermarket toast, fresh OJ and a long flick through the Sunday paper at the Portobello House Hotel (which I'd highly recommend a stay at if you want a superbly comfy bed, lovely service and a short stroll to the famous Portobello Rd Markets). Although a downgrade on the much loved Australian classic, Marmite was the closest thing I could get to Vegemite after weeks of salty breakfast spread deprivation. (Don't want you thinking I'm actually into that stuff) // Terrace living // I developed a sickening Nike + New Balance OBSESSION whilst away (I wore sneakers to a club one night in Stockholm, and now I fear I'll never turn back) // A close up on my favourite Petite Grand bracelet (I haven't taken it off since December) + my first and only night in a comfortable bed whilst in London...The rest I spent on a fold out mattress in a room the size of a toilet cubicle (which I surprisingly didn't mind)...//

Tuesday

Week Uno. Stockholm, Sweden // Clear, blue skies + icy temperatures + more walking than I've probably done in the last four months combined // Beauty lighting in the bathroom + a commitment to more smiles even when I'm not feeling particularly smiley = the start of my #100daysofhappy Instagram series // Long strolls around markets brimming with vibrant blooms and antique treasures // Abrasive yet cheeky Italians + good coffee (a miracle in this city) + inspiration for my dream of developing an organisational OCD // New socks from H&M + goosebumps (don't sleep with the window open, folks) // Even more walking + bad (giggly) Japanese buskers on the bridge to the Old Town + glistening channels of rushing water // Kitsch decor (cute, not sickening) + three hotel moves in the span of seven days (why are Stockholm hotels booked out and the streets so quiet?)...Don't let it's effortlessly hipster appearance fool you, this one (HTL) had no windows in either of the rooms I stayed in - torture. // Guitar noodling at the studio in my Pharrell hat (I wore it first, okay?)...// More updates on the way (prepare for an overload of good looking food (and hopefully people - these Swedes are rather attractive))...

Hotel staff are looking at me suspiciously as I've been sitting in the lobby bar for two hours, bobbing my head to Youtube choreography videos of Usher's new song 'Good Kisser'. I'm on the move again! No rest for the adventurers...

Sunday

Today marks the final day of "rest" (not really though, because I'm currently multitasking whilst in the studio) before heading into one of the most chaotic seven days of my year so far...After packing my life into boxes, stacking it neatly in storage and taking a whirlwind trip to Perth for a gig, I'm off to adventure my way through Europe. Three weeks of song writing, fresh Nordic air, strolls down cobbled lanes, people watching and endless pots of tea - my heart is at rest.

I can't wait to bring you along for the adventure! Stay tuned for crazy selfie videos of me battling language barriers, attempting to keep up with the ever-chic Stockholm street style folks (read, find one good outfit and wear it every day for seven days straight) and singing...LOTS of singing!

I
don't cafe rotate very often. In fact, these days, I rarely do it at all. I
find my 'spot' and it stays my spot until it stops being awesome, gets
infiltrated by hipsters, or I just get sick of the menu...That generally
takes a devilishly long time, by the way. I'm a creature of habit.

This morning I give to you, Left Bower.
Tucked away in a side street of the ultra chic (*cough) Sutherland,
lies this little gem of mismatched, organic, caravan-y goodness. No
seriously, it's kitted out with decor that has legitimately been thieved
from unsuspecting travelers holidaying in caravans (*that bit may or
may not be true). On the shelves you'll find weathered scrabble sets
(ready to be played over a big pot of tea and home made cake), picnic
rugs, fiddle sticks, jars of marbles and little sets of your Nanna's
favourite cups and saucers. Kitsch without being tacky and making my
eyeballs hurt.

On
the (seasonal) menu you'll find delights such as 'Green Eggs & Ham'
- a heavenly little stack of sourdough toast, award winning shaved leg
ham, smashed eggs, aioli, warrigal greens, vintage cheddar and a drizzle
of pesto; 'Avocado mole´' - house made cornbread with the most amazing
beans, fried eggs, a whole avocado and a smattering of greenery,
freshened up with lime juice and herbs; 'Salad' - poached chicken breast
with chicory, pea tendrils, grapefruit segments, and other delicious
bits and pieces I can't quite remember. The list goes on, but you get
the drift - it's all really really good. I believe most of the produce
is also organic and locally sourced. Love that!

The cawffee is
excellent and the beans are Australian-grown, which I very much
appreciate, though I must admit I only go there to drink the chai. It's a
fragrant tea blend with whole cardamon pods scattered throughout that I
take piping hot and brewed with soy milk. Heaven. Someone behind the
counter always has a chuckle as they exclaim that I'm ingesting "the
most expensive drink on the menu!".

I
feel at home every time I walk into Left Bower, which is everything I
want in a cafe and more. You could sit there for three hours with a book
and no one would give you shifty eyes from behind the counter. Be
warned though, they may offer you a hefty slice of cream cheese-frosted
cake...and refusing that my friends, can get very difficult.